common ground.
"You can't keep the kids away from the park!"
When you are in Prairie Trail, you are never more than a few steps away from natural, wide-open green spaces. There are nearly 200 acres of green space throughout the 1,100-acre development designed to provide a variety of activities, from active parks for children to play to paths for leisurely, quiet walks on Sunday afternoons.
Precedence Park. The 3.16-acre park was the first to be opened in June 2008. The 1930s Works Progress Administration-style shelter that can accommodate up to 100 people has become a favorite for family gatherings, weddings and other celebrations. The extensive landscaping, including a flower garden and trail encircling the grounds, make this a perfect spot for a relaxing afternoon.
Dean Park (pictured above in large photo). This neighborhood park, featuring a rubberized playground, half-court basketball court, splash pad and shelter, opened in 2010 and has become the gathering hub for current residents. Danielle Manus says most evenings are spent at the park with neighbors: “As soon as I pick up the kids from school, they’re asking when we get to go to the park.”
Chautauqua Park. The biggest of the parks at 46 acres, Chautauqua will offer many options, including “Great Lawns” for play and relaxing; a lake for fishing; trails for walking, riding, and running; and landscaping to savor. The area of reconstructed wetlands, native grasses and flowers will become the regional trailhead for the Central Iowa Trail System. Play structures and signage will fit an earlier time and feel, much the same way that Prairie Trail housing styles evoke the past.
Promenade Park. The 12 acres in this park will offer active and passive possibilities. An intertwining trail system will traverse the park’s inner space and also connect to the overall trail system of Prairie Trail at the park’s boundaries. The shape and contour of the park make for a perfect setting for an amphitheater that will use the 5-acre Promenade Lake as a backdrop. A shelter structure will be situated at the crest of the park and will mirror the style of shelters already in Prairie Trail and provide park patrons with a space to relax and enjoy the view.
Vintage Park. On 12 acres of land, this natural park features native landscaping, walking trails, a pond and fishing pier. Although Vintage Park does not have a traditional playground, it is a perfect place for natural play, a picnic or an afternoon walk. The pond and fishing pier lend a great spot to leisurely catch a few fish and enjoy the outdoors. The planned green spaces are an essential element to the lifestyle at Prairie Trail and have become a draw for future residents and businesses. Todd Redenius, Director of Ankeny Parks and Recreation Department, claims none of it would have been possible without careful planning by city officials and their teamwork with private entities: “The way we partnered to integrate the green spaces with residential and business areas is so unique it’s been the impetus for other projects within our community and started discussions elsewhere.”
Making a Splash. When the Iowa humidity becomes too much, Cascade Falls is the place to be. At 20,000 square feet, the largest municipal aquatic center in Iowa features a Flow-rider surf machine, five slides including a drop slide and a swirl bowl. Those looking to relax can drift down the 640-foot Lazy River with a wave generator, relax in the heated pool or catch rays in the sunbathing areas.
In its first partial-season from mid-July to Labor Day 2010, Cascade Falls welcomed 72,000 visitors, and more than 200 children participated in swim lessons at the facility.
Redenius recognizes that the development of the $10 million facility can largely be attributed to the
unique collaboration between the City of Ankeny and DRA Properties, saying, “It has really raised the bar of what the private and public sectors can accomplish together.”
Hit the Trail. While parks are an essential element to lifestyle within Prairie Trail, it was a priority for community leaders to take advantage of Prairie Trail being located in the heart of Central Iowa’s 670- mile trail system. The 13 miles of trail within the community directly connect to 34 miles already in Ankeny and lead to the regional Gay Lea Wilson, Neal Smith, and High Trestle trails. The recent addition of the 1⁄2–mile, 13–story High Trestle Trail Bridge connects five communities and four counties.
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